The Criterion Collection

[Sockenpapst]

Originally Posted by Yami

Where's the cheapest place to get Criterion titles in the UK? Barnes and Nobles are $90 for The 400 Blows + Seven Samurai + The Wages of Fear. Is that good? I see that it's 3 for 2

I think axelmusic is a good choice.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

I hope you know, you have to stay with this name now, because user name changes are like sex change operations--they can only be performed once, or things start to get unrecognizable...

Don't worry. I think another year and a half of 3000 more posts to go before getting tired of it.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I like you alot CG. I mean, I f'n love you.

That's cool man. Whatever.

[Guitar Joe]

Originally Posted by greekak229

I'm more enticed to get Shock Corridor first, but there's no doubt I'll be getting The Naked Kiss sometime afterward.

Between the two, I do think Shock Corridor is the better movie. If I didn't already own it on DVD it would definately be the one I would buy first.

[greekak229]

Originally Posted by Guitar Joe

Between the two, I do think Shock Corridor is the better movie. If I didn't already own it on DVD it would definately be the one I would buy first.

I've never seen The Naked Kiss. Would it be a good blind buy?

[Guitar Joe]

Originally Posted by greekak229

I've never seen The Naked Kiss. Would it be a good blind buy?

If you've seen other Fuller movies and liked them, I'd say yes. Otherwise, you would probably be better off renting it first.

[BasicGreatGuy]

For those interested, TCM HD will be showing "The Third Man" tomorrow at 4:15 pm est. Hopefully, they will show the Criterion release. I plan on Dvr, so I don't have to handle the Blu-ray anymore.

[painted_klown]

Hello gang,

Well I ordered up a plastic replacement case for my BD of The Man Who Fell To Earth. It finally came in the mail today so I decided to go ahead and open my copy up for a viewing.

I will begin my little review by saying that the PQ on this BD simply left me floored. The grain gets thick, I mean THICK, in some areas of this film and I love every glorious bit of it. Detail is strong, black levels look good, and shadow detail is always there. This is especially nice in the scenes in the back of his Lincoln Continental and various night time and some indoor scenes.

My only negatives were that there were some shots that looked so soft; it seemed out of focus almost. I do feel that it was the source print however, as various objects on a different visual plane appear sharp, detailed, and textured nicely...all in the same frame. One scene in particular involves the scientist sitting on a couch with a drink; he looks terribly out of focus. While the Christmas garland/tinsel on the right side of the screen (and closer to the camera) appears clean, sharp, and focused. There are also occasional occurrences of hair, dirt, debris, and scratches on the print as well. Those just add to the "charm" for me and aren't necessarily critisisms IMO, there were just enough of these things to be note worthy.

Now on to the actual movie. I am going to put on my flame suit for this one...I thought it was merely ok. Maybe I had too high of expectations for it. Maybe it is because all of the other Criterion films I have seen (very few) I have enjoyed so much (exception being perhaps The Third Man, but that is for another review. I want to watch it again before making a final decision)

[Show spoiler]I am not sure why I wasn't overly fascinated with this movie. David Bowie does a good job, Rip Torn is the man (as always) and the plentiful sexy nude girls are all entertaining enough...but something about this movie never quite fully "jelled" with me. I think part of it was the fact that Bowies character isn't all that interesting, for an alien. I figured he would have more profound dialog then he did. In fact, he really didn't say anything enlightening or profound at all. There weren’t any real "wow" moments for me in this movie.

I liked the idea that he became an alcoholic though. I felt that part of the story was completely credible, and seemed like a logical path for his character to take. Another thing that (sort of) bothered me was after the scientist took the x-ray of him, it just sort of jumped to him being exposed. It doesn't really explain why the scientist exposed him, nor does it explicitly state/show that the scientist exposes him. Then once he does get "caught" he doesn't really seem to mind at all. He also just seems to continue to live his usual lifestyle. Being that he kept himself secluded all the time anyway, and that he still had servants and things, it really wasn't much of an adjustment for him. I felt this lessened the impact that this (slightly) significant event in the movie should have had on him, and on us as the viewer. Maybe I am just being too critical, or a second viewing is needed to really "get it".

I will rate TMWFTE a 2/4 stars.


EDIT: I found it quite humorous that he was watching The Third Man in this film...sort of fitting due to their current status' in the Criterion collection.


Thanks for reading.

-Dave

[BasicGreatGuy]

For those interested, Amazon has "The Thin Red Line" for $23.99. My apologies for misstating the Blu-ray price. I mistook the DVD price for the Blu-ray price. The current Blu-ray price is $29.99

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

I plan on Dvr, so I don't have to handle the Blu-ray anymore.

You want to record it, so you won't have to watch the Blu-ray anymore

Unless you put your movies through some hazing ritual every-time prior to viewing, I don't see the point of not watching it to prevent "wear"....

You should look into pressurized/temperature/light controlled safes while you're at it.

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

You want to record it, so you won't have to watch the Blu-ray anymore

Unless you put your movies through some hazing ritual every-time prior to viewing, I don't see the point of not watching it to prevent "wear"....

You should look into pressurized/temperature/light controlled safes while you're at it.

With other people in the house, I prefer the dvr be used with this movie, instead of other people handling my Blu-ray copy when I am not home. Accidents happen, and I don't want to have to order another copy of the Blu-ray. I am very particular with my movies.

Maybe you shouldn't jump to conclusions.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

Maybe you shouldn't jump to conclusions.

[greekak229]

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

For those interested, Amazon has "The Thin Red Line" for $23.99.

Probably the best looking Criterion out there. I advise anyone who doesn't have this one to get it! Pronto. Asap. Immediately. Quickly. Okay, I'm done.

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Juvenile post.

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by greekak229

Probably the best looking Criterion out there. I advise anyone who doesn't have this one to get it! Pronto. Asap. Immediately. Quickly. Okay, I'm done.

I agree. It is one of the best Criterion Blu-rays that I have seen thus far. The cheapest Amazon has had it, is $22.99. Still an excellent deal, in my opinion.

Edited to add: With such a superb transfer, I wouldn't be surprised if Criterion gains new followers, from those that buy the movie not really knowing anything about Criterion.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

With other people in the house, I prefer the dvr be used with this movie, instead of other people handling my Blu-ray copy when I am not home. Accidents happen, and I don't want to have to order another copy of the Blu-ray. I am very particular with my movies.

Who are these elusive "other" people you speak of, BGG? Are they family? Are they roommates? Are you in an orphanage? Are they complete strangers to you? Are they squatters? Are they secret government projects that you're not allowed to talk about at this time? Are they part of a Jim Jones, Kool-Aid-drinking cult?

If the answer falls into one of the first two categories then I don't see why you couldn't just say, "hey, this is my private property that I've spent my personal money on and I would appreciate it if no one touches it. Thank you. And if I find out anyone is messing with my stuff while I'm away then I'm gonna be messing up your f***ing face. You've been fairly warned."

If that doesn't work, then I suggest you find a different set of "other" people to live in your house.

CC

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Who are these elusive "other" people you speak of, BGG? Are they family? Are they roommates? Are you in an orphanage? Are they complete strangers to you? Are they squatters? Are they secret government projects that you're not allowed to talk about at this time? Are they part of a Jim Jones, Kool-Aid-drinking cult?

If the answer falls into one of the first two categories then I don't see why you couldn't just say, "hey, this is my private property that I've spent my personal money on and I would appreciate it if no one touches it. Thank you. And if I find out anyone is messing with my stuff while I'm away then I'm gonna be messing up your f***ing face. You've been fairly warned."

If that doesn't work, then I suggest you find a different set of "other" people to live in your house.

CC

I was referring to family and close friends. I have had issues before with my movies, even though I have made myself clear.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

Juvenile post.

I was just trying to point out the fact that I was being overly facetious.


Either way, if I were to assume the wife and kids are the other people in the house, I wouldn't expect the kids to say "I need my Orson Welles fix!" and although my wife may view something like this while I'm not at home, if I recorded it on a DVR (assuming I had one) and my wife decided to watch The Third Man while I wasn't home, if she knew I had the Blu-ray to begin with, she'd probably just go grab it off of the shelf

By your post of "not handling it as much" I figured the conclusion that YOU were the one doing most of the "handling" wasn't a far one to jump to. I was just trying to make light of the fact that you weren't getting the enjoyment from the disc, so why own it

I didn't take into consideration that other people might have some bizarre accident with the disc (not sure what that would be.... that certainly leaves me curious to possibilities of toaster ovens and meat grinders) but either way, I was just trying to point out that you should use and ENJOY the disc.... because if not.... why buy?

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I was just trying to point out the fact that I was being overly facetious.


Either way, if I were to assume the wife and kids are the other people in the house, I wouldn't expect the kids to say "I need my Orson Welles fix!" and although my wife may view something like this while I'm not at home, if I recorded it on a DVR (assuming I had one) and my wife decided to watch The Third Man while I wasn't home, if she knew I had the Blu-ray to begin with, she'd probably just go grab it off of the shelf

By your post of "not handling it as much" I figured the conclusion that YOU were the one doing most of the "handling" wasn't a far one to jump to. I was just trying to make light of the fact that you weren't getting the enjoyment from the disc, so why own it

I didn't take into consideration that other people might have some bizarre accident with the disc (not sure what that would be.... that certainly leaves me curious to possibilities of toaster ovens and meat grinders) but either way, I was just trying to point out that you should use and ENJOY the disc.... because if not.... why buy?

Valid points. I should have been more clear in my post. I didn't pick up on you being overly facetious. My apologies if I came across as bellicose.

[italy12]

My puppy is named Bella.